Japanese Trams and Light Interurbans

Iyotetsu Lines 1 and 2

jtrams — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 01:14:44 +0000

In Matsuyama, Iyotetsu operates circular routes 1 and 2. On the south side routes 1 and 2 operate on the street like other Iyotetsu routes, but on their north side routes 1 and 2 are single track along a narrow right-of-way with passing sidings.

The line is fenced off and all crossings are gated allowing for relatively high speeds.

Here is a second longer video. Various platform arrangements are used: on either side of a crossing, on both sides of the track at the same location and on both sides of passing sidings at key stations.

These smaller systems further away from the prime Osaka-Tokyo corridor are not photographed as much some of more accessible tram lines. We are fortunate to get these videos.

Sightseeing Tram

jtrams — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:38:27 +0000

Its Kagoshima, Japan and the Kagoshima Board of Transport runs a sightseeing tram service using a low floor tram.

Hiroden Hiroshima Station

jtrams — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:31:42 +0000

JR Hiroshima Station is the terminal for Hiroden tram lines 1, 2, 5 and 6. A wide range of trams can be seen here every day.

Here’s a current view of the terminal presented on a You Tube video by duckworthnathan

Duckworthnathan also has a time lapse of Hiroden Hiroshima and a time lapse at platform level in the JR Hiroshima station itself.

Tosa Electric 600 At Night

jtrams — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:03:22 +0000

Night time traction videos can be full of interest sounds: brakes releasing, flanges clattering through switches and wheels squealing around curves.

You Tube video by Hamataguchi.

This sight can still be seen today on the Tosa Electric Railway in Kochi, Japan.

Single Track Operation on the Tosa Electric Railway

jtrams — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:53:24 +0000

For those who have never encountered single track in-street operation this is a very good introduction. A single track is used for cars in both directions, generally because traffic volume does not support more frequent service.

Here passengers board and alight in the middle of the street. Motorists are very careful because of the legal penalties in Japan. All drivers are professional drivers in Japan, incidents causing injury or death are punishable by five years in prison for professional negligence and there is no automatic bail.

You Tube video by Hamataguchi.

Car 612 (going away from the camera) stops and waits for car 634 to exchange the token coil (which unfortunately is hidden by the passing bus).

This is a street level view of a siding on the same line with cars 613 and 609. The bus appears again just at the time of the meet, but the token coil exchange can be seen just after the bus moves by.

This is a very unusual traction sight in 2011.

Arakawa Line Spring Switch

jtrams — Fri, 06 May 2011 21:57:51 +0000

Here’s a close-up of the non-facing spring switch on the Toden Arakawa line at the Otsuka Station. The tongue of the switch is pushed into place as the wheels of the car pass over the switch.

You Tube video by VVVF2100.

Keifuku Railway Uzumasa-Koryuji Station

jtrams — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:38:51 +0000

Koryu-ji Temple dates from the year 603 and is Kyoto’s oldest temple. Across the street Keifuku Railway’s electric cars pass by the temple in a quintessentially Japanese scene. Uzumasa-Koryuji Station sits just back far enough to provide a good vantage point for photographing Keifuku’s trains and taking in some typical traction sounds.

You Tube video by quamegor.

Blossoms and Hiroden Trams

jtrams — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:19:26 +0000

Its blossom time in Japan and here are Hiroden trams in various locations in Hiroshima.

Yt03104 video.

“Goodbye 7500″

jtrams — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:01:02 +0000

Japanese culture places emphasis on commemorating events that go unremarked in many other places. With the retirement of the last of the 7500s now scheduled for March 13, Tokyo Bureau of Transportation has placed head marks on both ends of 7511 and 7512 commemorating their years of service.

You Tube video by karibcjct.

Toden 7500 Series

jtrams — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:50:35 +0000

The Arakawa line’s 7500s are due for replacement as deliveries of the new 8800 series progress into 2012. Here’s a look at this group of trams dating from 1962.

Railmanbros You Tube video.